Like every other artist, I’ve read a thousand and one essays about AI. Often with despair. Often looking for others to despair alongside me.
But this is probably one of my favorites. Your writing is freaking stunning. I can’t wait for your screenplay to be out in the world and make art that, no doubt, will ruin me. It sounds brilliant. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for creating ❤️
I think at the center of these apologists — these people who worship the amalgamated corpse of human experience — is an insecurity about their own capacity for experience. They’re intimidated by the significance of the artist because they lack a perceived significance of their own, or at least aren’t secure enough in it to the point that any external instance of significance feels like a threat.
There’s poisonous comfort in not having to reckon with another human being, full of thoughts, feelings, dreams, galaxies, significance. The ideological lust towards robots is inseparable from the ideological lust towards slavery, automation, the existential complacency of not having to care about or acknowledge another human being.
In Germany, they say “Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt,” meaning “hope dies last,” meant to highlight the inevitability of the end of all things, which only strengthens the significance of holding fast to optimism, significance, and possibility. I think, Sophie, that hope being the last one standing has been made cosmically inevitable here. Thank you for this ❤️
This is truly brilliant. You’ve changed my mind about everything. I thought it was hopeless to be a creative but AI is just all of us anyway. I never thought about it like that. AI only knows what we already know so of course it’s going to seem smart, if we asked everyone in the world at the same time for an answer, we’d get it. This screenplay sounds amazing and if you’re casting let me know haha! Thank you for this 😸🥹
I saw this right after clicking publish on my own (vastly inferior) essay on AI; it really feels like it's on all of our minds lately. Amazing writing and good luck on your screenplay!!
She was deep in her bag on this one. Every line cuts sharp and lands soft. It’s grief, clarity, theory, and love all braided into something only a real artist could make. She names what so many of us feel but couldn’t say. This is soul work, full stop.
Sophie, where to even begin... as my thoughts swirl and freeze around the conflicting emotions this piece evoked, I guess all I can do for now, is begin and end with, thank you.
Some terrific writing here! I’d definitely pay for a subscription if I had more consistent income coming in. Loved the commentary on souls, AI and Hotel Reverie. Good luck with the script from a fellow screenwriter!
Excellent and heartfelt. Humanity is a victim of its own species success.
FWIW, I've learned to pay attention to my instincts. I never liked Musk or his BS, and I want nothing to do with Ai-generated "art" nor have any interest in playing with any LLM. I suspect that somewhere down the road, people will wish they'd shunned Ai-generated "art" as they should have shunned Musk.
This is really great. I'm working on an essay for my stack that gets at how AI can't replace friendship because it can't be irrational, meaning it can't love. That knowledge seems to be at the core of what you're getting at here, too.
Exactly!! It's also statistically most likely to provide literally the most average answer so be you. Share your view and art. And haha - absolutely will do!
This is slightly long-winded (which is why I restocked it to Notes first) but here it goes
Although I can’t say I agree with your take word for word, I do respect it—and I hold these kinds of questions and concerns close to my own heart. It’s fascinating…
Though I’d never call myself an “AI apologist,” I don’t subscribe to the belief that this new tool—this technology—will be the end of us. That it will corrupt or eradicate creativity, artistry, or soul (content without the creator). One look at history and you’ll see that’s never been the case. If anything ends us, it will be human nature. The knowledge of good and evil. Consciousness itself.
Think about it:
If we had never come to believe in the existence of an all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing deity—in whatever form or faith we choose—we might’ve remained like a leaf in the wind. And this is not to jump off a cliff and say, “to hell with all of existence!”
But… the moment we became aware of good and evil, of the infinite possibility of knowledge, we crossed a threshold. We’ve been pushing the boundaries of what can be known and done ever since.
So when I consider the rise of artificial intelligence—when I look at this moment in history—I don’t see the end. I see inevitability.
With every new technology, humanity has faced both danger and opportunity. And always, there’s a chance to recalibrate. To collaborate. To integrate it (emerging tech) into the creative and cultural frameworks we’ve already built. That balance, once achieved, tends to spark even greater waves of innovation. It becomes a cycle—a chain reaction—stretching us toward the unknown. Toward something infinite.
As an artist, I’ve found a way to use AI to support and amplify my process—not replace it. Yes, there will always be bad actors. There always have been. But if more of us lead with open-mindedness, curiosity, intention, and integrity, the art we make can—and will—overshadow the noise.
Suffice it to say: this is a deeply thought-provoking piece and conversation. Excellent writing! Thank you for sharing. 😌
Like every other artist, I’ve read a thousand and one essays about AI. Often with despair. Often looking for others to despair alongside me.
But this is probably one of my favorites. Your writing is freaking stunning. I can’t wait for your screenplay to be out in the world and make art that, no doubt, will ruin me. It sounds brilliant. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for creating ❤️
Paige 🥹🥹🥹🥹 Thank you so much for this lovely comment x
I think at the center of these apologists — these people who worship the amalgamated corpse of human experience — is an insecurity about their own capacity for experience. They’re intimidated by the significance of the artist because they lack a perceived significance of their own, or at least aren’t secure enough in it to the point that any external instance of significance feels like a threat.
There’s poisonous comfort in not having to reckon with another human being, full of thoughts, feelings, dreams, galaxies, significance. The ideological lust towards robots is inseparable from the ideological lust towards slavery, automation, the existential complacency of not having to care about or acknowledge another human being.
In Germany, they say “Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt,” meaning “hope dies last,” meant to highlight the inevitability of the end of all things, which only strengthens the significance of holding fast to optimism, significance, and possibility. I think, Sophie, that hope being the last one standing has been made cosmically inevitable here. Thank you for this ❤️
This is truly brilliant. You’ve changed my mind about everything. I thought it was hopeless to be a creative but AI is just all of us anyway. I never thought about it like that. AI only knows what we already know so of course it’s going to seem smart, if we asked everyone in the world at the same time for an answer, we’d get it. This screenplay sounds amazing and if you’re casting let me know haha! Thank you for this 😸🥹
I saw this right after clicking publish on my own (vastly inferior) essay on AI; it really feels like it's on all of our minds lately. Amazing writing and good luck on your screenplay!!
I loved your piece, Staci. Thank you for letting me know! And appreciate you ❤️❤️
She was deep in her bag on this one. Every line cuts sharp and lands soft. It’s grief, clarity, theory, and love all braided into something only a real artist could make. She names what so many of us feel but couldn’t say. This is soul work, full stop.
❤️❤️ as you've said in the part, I'm here for “art shit”
Wow I hadn’t thought about how little bits of us already exist within these AI models. This is a really beautiful piece Sophie.
Thank you so much 🥹
cool script on an endless hot take
🤣
Sophie, where to even begin... as my thoughts swirl and freeze around the conflicting emotions this piece evoked, I guess all I can do for now, is begin and end with, thank you.
I see your artistry ❤️
Again, thank you Sophie.
Some terrific writing here! I’d definitely pay for a subscription if I had more consistent income coming in. Loved the commentary on souls, AI and Hotel Reverie. Good luck with the script from a fellow screenwriter!
Aw that's okay, Tara!! This comment made my day. Thank YOU.
Excellent read, Sophie. Bravo! AI couldn't have written this in a million years, and that's the point.
❤️
Excellent and heartfelt. Humanity is a victim of its own species success.
FWIW, I've learned to pay attention to my instincts. I never liked Musk or his BS, and I want nothing to do with Ai-generated "art" nor have any interest in playing with any LLM. I suspect that somewhere down the road, people will wish they'd shunned Ai-generated "art" as they should have shunned Musk.
Agreed, I think rebellion will strike eventually. Thanks so much for your comment as always Wyrd!
Up the rebellion!
This is really great. I'm working on an essay for my stack that gets at how AI can't replace friendship because it can't be irrational, meaning it can't love. That knowledge seems to be at the core of what you're getting at here, too.
Absolutely Brandon. All best of luck with your writing!
Exactly!! It's also statistically most likely to provide literally the most average answer so be you. Share your view and art. And haha - absolutely will do!
This is slightly long-winded (which is why I restocked it to Notes first) but here it goes
Although I can’t say I agree with your take word for word, I do respect it—and I hold these kinds of questions and concerns close to my own heart. It’s fascinating…
Though I’d never call myself an “AI apologist,” I don’t subscribe to the belief that this new tool—this technology—will be the end of us. That it will corrupt or eradicate creativity, artistry, or soul (content without the creator). One look at history and you’ll see that’s never been the case. If anything ends us, it will be human nature. The knowledge of good and evil. Consciousness itself.
Think about it:
If we had never come to believe in the existence of an all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing deity—in whatever form or faith we choose—we might’ve remained like a leaf in the wind. And this is not to jump off a cliff and say, “to hell with all of existence!”
But… the moment we became aware of good and evil, of the infinite possibility of knowledge, we crossed a threshold. We’ve been pushing the boundaries of what can be known and done ever since.
So when I consider the rise of artificial intelligence—when I look at this moment in history—I don’t see the end. I see inevitability.
With every new technology, humanity has faced both danger and opportunity. And always, there’s a chance to recalibrate. To collaborate. To integrate it (emerging tech) into the creative and cultural frameworks we’ve already built. That balance, once achieved, tends to spark even greater waves of innovation. It becomes a cycle—a chain reaction—stretching us toward the unknown. Toward something infinite.
As an artist, I’ve found a way to use AI to support and amplify my process—not replace it. Yes, there will always be bad actors. There always have been. But if more of us lead with open-mindedness, curiosity, intention, and integrity, the art we make can—and will—overshadow the noise.
Suffice it to say: this is a deeply thought-provoking piece and conversation. Excellent writing! Thank you for sharing. 😌